Stabilo
With Tomi Swick and The Suits XL
Monday, 2 October at 8pm
The Powerplant
For some, a flashback to the year 2000 will revive fond memories of a more innocent Britney, a less scantily clad Christina and, perhaps, the end of the boy-band boom we knew all too well. For others, the year 2000 marks the year when Stabilo’s infectious hit, “Everybody,” infiltrated radio stations across Canada.
Six years later, the Canadian foursome still takes pride in their poignant phrases and gut-wrenching choruses. However, Stabilo vocalist and guitarist Christopher John believes that those years were a learning experience for them all.
“‘Everybody’ was one of the first songs Jesse [fellow vocalist and guitarist] ever wrote, which was probably, like, ten years ago,” John says. “I can’t even remember what our songwriting approach was back then; but this time around, I think a lot more thought goes into songwriting.
“We’ve been doing it for about ten years and we’re just trying to get the lyrics and melodies just right—rewriting and working on it until it’s perfect. Not that it’s ever perfect, but just until we can handle listening to our stuff without cringing.”
This is far too modest of an answer, especially since their recent album, Happiness and Disaster, forces listeners to do anything but cringe. However, with intensely honest lyrics and haunting melodies, the songs do have a tendency to gravitate towards the gloomier side.
“I think, musically, the songs aren’t necessarily so dark,” John explains. “I think lyrically, we tend to explore our melancholy natures. I guess we’re usually in darker spaces when we write songs—at least I am for sure. When I get inspired [to write a song], I’m generally not feeling too hot.
“I’ve tried to write happy songs, but I guess they just get thrown into the garbage because they sound kind of cheesy. Maybe somebody else should sing them.”
Although the album does serve as the perfect rainy day companion, John also notes that the album is entitled Happiness and Disaster for a reason. He illustrates its duality and stresses that there’s always a brighter side.
“Yeah, the songs are dark, but we do try to infuse them with a sense of hope or happiness so it’s not all bleak,” John says. “There are two sides to a coin and two sides to life, and everybody experiences both sides to some extent, I hope.”
However, delving into the hearts and minds of many listeners via meaningful lyrics isn’t Stabilo’s sole talent. With varied textures, the group also focuses on creating a rich sound that has a flair for incorporating a medley of styles.
“I don’t know how we generate the melodies; they just kind of come out of your head,” John says. “We all listen to a variety of music, so I think that’s definitely where the different musical influences you’re hearing come from. I like to think that we’re able to meld different genres, styles and eras of music to form a cohesive, somewhat unique, musical expression.”
Fully equipped with poetic lines, drifting melodies and relentless ambition, Stabilo is prepared to bring their music to a larger stage.
“Our plan right now is to keep writing songs, keep putting albums out and keep on touring,” John says. “Hopefully we’ll branch out and get to play for the rest of the world.”